This 6-week short course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive introduction to research methodologies in the humanities and social sciences. Whether you are a student, early-career researcher, or professional looking to enhance your research skills, this course will equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical tools needed to design, conduct, and present high-quality research. Through a blend of theoretical insights, hands-on activities, and real-world examples, you will gain confidence in navigating the research process from start to finish.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Understand the key principles and ethical considerations of research in humanities and social sciences.
2. Develop the ability to formulate clear research questions and design robust research proposals.
3. Gain practical skills in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
4. Learn how to collect, tabulate, analyse and interpret data effectively.
5. Acquire strategies for writing and presenting research findings to academic and non-academic audiences.

 

Course Content

• Introduction to Research in Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Overview of research paradigms and methodologies.
  • Ethical considerations and challenges in research.
• Designing a Research Study
  • Formulating research questions and hypotheses.
  • Choosing appropriate research designs and methods.
• Qualitative Research Methods
  • Techniques for conducting interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic studies.
  • Introduction to coding and thematic analysis.
• Quantitative Research Methods
  • Basics of survey design and data collection.
  • Introduction to statistical analysis and data visualization.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Analysing qualitative and quantitative data.
  • Using free software tools (e.g., Excel, Jamovi, PSPP) for data analysis.
• Presenting Research Findings
  • Structuring research papers and reports.
  • Writing techniques for academic and professional audiences.

 

Teaching Methods

• Interactive lectures and group discussions.
• Hands-on workshops and case studies.
• Individual assignments to apply learning.

 

Certification

Those who complete the course will receive a Statement of Attendance.

Join us to build a strong foundation in research and take your academic or professional projects to the next level!

Application Code	2340-1266NW	Apply Online Now
Start Date	02 Aug 2025 (Sat)
Apply Online Now

Days / Time

• Saturday, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Duration

• 6 meeting(s)
• 3 hours per meeting

Venue

• United Learning Centre

Teaching Schedule 

18 hours (6 meetings x 3 hours each; once per week)

 

Notes To Applicants

• Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
• Unless any change is made to the advertised details, we do not usually issue joining instructions. Applicants with receipts should go to the first session of the class at the time and place shown.
• No refunds or transfers to a different class will be approved.

 

Course Fee

• Course Fee : HK$5400

1) Current students in Hong Kong QF level 4 or above programmes; or
2) University graduates

In order to align course content with the areas of interest of students, and thus maximise learning outcomes, applicants should submit a 200–300-word statement of purpose outlining their interest and goals related to humanities and social sciences research when the course is commenced.

* Before you enrol, please make sure that you meet the entry requirements.  Failure in meeting the requirements would mean that you will not be able to study the course. 

 

Online Application Apply Now

Enrolment Method

Online Application

We provide online application and payment service for students to make enrolment via the Internet. Enrolment will be confirmed once students have made the payment online by using either PPS or credit card.

By Post / In Person

Applicants are required to complete the Application for Enrolment Form SF26.  Either take or post the completed form, along with the appropriate course fee and supporting documents, to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres.

Payment Method

1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque or bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

• bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course fees in the form of a cheque, and supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
• or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment sent by mail.

3. VISA/MasterCard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or MasterCard, including the “HKU SPACE MasterCard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE MasterCard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online payment

The course fees of all open admission courses (course enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes can be settled by using PPS via the Internet. Applicants may also pay the relevant course fees by VISA or MasterCard online. Please refer to the Online Services page on the School website.

Notes

1. For general and short courses, applicants may be required to pay the course fee in cash or by EPS, Visa or MasterCard if the course is to start shortly.
2. Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, cheque or PPS (for online payment only) will normally be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will normally be reimbursed to the payment cardholder’s credit card account.
3. In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
4. Fees and places on courses cannot be transferred from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on approved transfers.
5. Receipts will be issued for fees paid but HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of receipt sent by mail.
6. For additional copies of receipts, please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a completed form and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to ‘HKU SPACE’. Such copies will only normally be issued at the end of a course.

Disclaimer

1. The School provides a platform for online services for a selected range of products it offers. While every effort is made to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information contained in this website, such information and materials are provided "as is" without express or implied warranty of any kind. In particular, no warranty or assurance regarding non-infringement, security, accuracy, fitness for a purpose or freedom from computer viruses is given in connection with such information and materials.
2. The School (and its respective employees and subsidiaries) is not liable for any loss or damage in connection with any online payments made by you by reason of (i) any failure, delay, interruption, suspension or restriction of the transmission of any information or message from any payment gateways of the relevant banks and/or third party merchants for processing credit/debit/smart card or other payment facilitation mechanism; (ii) any negligence, mistake, error in or omission from any information or message transmitted from the said payment gateways; (iii) any breakdown, malfunction or failure of those gateways in effecting online payment service; or (iv) anything arisen out of or in connection with the said payment gateways, including but not limited to unauthorised access to or alternation of the transmission of data or any unlawful act not permitted by the law.